Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →
THE ELECTRONICAL PARTS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME THE BATTERY AND THE STARTER DID . THEN ON TOP OF MY ESC RANDOMLY COMING ON AND EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IT MADE IT TO WHERE I COULDN'T GO ABOVE 5 MILES HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART IT MULTIPLE TIMES JUST SO I CAN DIVE HOME THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I HAVE HAD HE VEHICLE NOVEMBER 2016
THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT IS STILL ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGAR SEAT
I STARTED MY 2008 KIA SORENTO EX WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE ALL OF A SUDDEN IT MAKES A LOUD BUMP NOISE AND WITH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES IT JUMPS HARD IN REVERSE I LOOK AND SEE MY ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, MY VEHICLE IN FACT SLOWED DOWN TERRIBLY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IF I SHUT MY CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON SOMETIMES THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES DURING HOT DAYS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT. IF MY CAR SLOWS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD END UP CAUSING QUITE AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION HURTING MYSELF OR MY FAMILY THAT IS IN THE VEHICLE. MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 88000 MILES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
I DROVE MY 08 KIA SORENTO HOME AT ABOUT 730 AM. I WORK NIGHT SHIFT AND WENT TO SLEEP AND WAS WOKEN UP AT 945 BY EMS TO MY CAR UP IN FLAMES. IT WAS SHOWING NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEMS, NOT RUNNING HOT, NOTHING. IT WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHEN IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE FIRE CHIEF WAS ON THE TRUCK THAT DAY AS HE HAD ORIENTEE'S, AND SAID THE FIRE STARTED BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL/DASH AND THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINE FIRE WHICH IS STATED ON MY FIRE REPORT. I CONTACTED KIA THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NO WAY IT WAS THEIR PROBLEM AND HAD TO BE A USER ERROR. I HAVE PHOTOS BUT MY COMPUTER WOULD NOT LET ME UPLOAD THEM FOR A REASON.
THE STARTER BURNED OUT AND THE STARTER RELAY IS STICKING. IT STARTED STICKING AND MAKING FUNNY NOISES AROUND MID OCTOBER OR BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER 2017 AND ACUTALLY BURNED OUT DECEMBER 8, 2017 AND WAS REPLACED DECEMBER 9, 2017. NOW THE STARTER WENT OUT AGAIN JANUARY 16, 2018. ALSO I HAD MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT BULB REPLACED AROUND JULY OR AUGUST 2017 AND NOW THE SAME DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SHAWNEE MISSION KIA (7591 SHAWNEE MISSION, KS 66202), BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE SIX YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,970. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE CRASH CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD CONTUSION, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN KIA DEALER IN CAPE DORODO, MISSOURI AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. *LN
ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND SENDS THE TRANSMISSION INTO A "LIMP" MODE. THIS CAUSES EXTREME LOSS OF ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE, BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE VEHICLE IS DOING THIS.
A MARCH 2010 TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR VEHICLE (TSB-023) OF FAULTY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. A MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME MY MAKE AND MODEL YEAR CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM, AND MADE ME AWARE OF THE MARCH 2010 TSB- 023. MECHANIC STATED MY WHEELS IN THE REAR WILL BECOME LOUDER THAN THE CURRENT NOISE I HAVE, THE WHEELS WILL GRIND, I WILL FEEL REAR VIBRATION. WITH 14 OTHER KIA SORENTO OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, REPORTED REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL, AND SAW REAR WHEEL IN REAR WINDOW MOVING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I PUCHASED VEHICLE IN 2016 WITH LOUD NOISE IN REAR THINKING IT WAS TYPES OF TIRES ON VEHICLE. I KNOW NOTHING WHAT A TSB IS. WHY DEALER KNEW OF THIS BUT NEVER SERVICED REAR DIFFERENTIAL? I HAVE 13000.00 AUTO LOAN AND NEED ALMOST 2000.00 TO REPAIR THIS ON A 2008 VEHICLE. TOYOTA HAS RECALLS FOR BAD REAR DIFFERENTIALS. HOW DOES KIA NOT HAVE TO RECALL ON THIS? THIS ISSUE DEALER NEVER CORRECTED SO THAT CONSUMER BECOME RESPONSIBLE.
I WAS IN A COLLISION THAT WAS MY FAULT, I REAR ENDED A MINI VAN HIT A CONCRETE/STONE/ DIRT BARRIER AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
EXITING A STRIP CENTER TO CROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND MAKE A LEFT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, I ACCELERATED IN A SAFE GAP ONLY TO FIND MY VEHICLE HAD ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. I WAS NEARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION IF NOT FOR THE EXCELLENT AWARENESS AND REACTION OF THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I PULLED IMMEDIATELY INTO A PARKING LOT TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPEN. AT THIS TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT WERE ON. THEY WERE NOT WENT I STARTED THE TRIP FROM MY HOUSE ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS NO LONGER THERE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE WAS. THE NORMAL POWER HAD BEEN RESTORED BACK TO MY CAR. I DROVE TO AN AUTO PARTS SHOP AND HAD THEM PULL CODES ON THE VEHICLE. IT RETURNED 2 CODES: 1. P2138 (THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH "D"/"E" VOLTAGE CORRELATION, 2. P2106 (THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM - FORCED LIMITED POWER). I ASKED THEM TO CLEAR THE CODES AND THEY DID. MY DRIVE HOME TRIGGERED NO LIGHTS. AFTER A MONTH THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AND I CLEARED THE CODES ONCE AGAIN. IT NOW HAPPENS 6 MONTHS TO YEAR MOSTLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GET REALLY WAR (USUALLY JULY). I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND WAS AMAZED TO FIND HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. ALL WERE THE SAME STORY OF SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER, BOTH LIGHTS ON, NEAR ACCIDENTS, FEAR FOR ONE'S SAFETY. LITERALLY HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS. THERE WERE MANY POSTS OF THOSE THAT WENT TO DEALER OR CALLED KIA WITH EITHER EXORBITANT REPAIR COS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIRE DISCOUNTERS FOR AN OIL CHANGE. IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 200 MILES LATER, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTO MALL OF DAYTON WHERE IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE AT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE LOCATION AND STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION FAILED AND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR RECALL TO ADDRESS THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
THE STEER WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN I WAS COMING OFF HIGHWAY TO INTERSECTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 30 MPH AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER, A TECHNICIAN REVIEWED THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER ALERT SYSTEM, WHICH INFORMS WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
ON TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS APART ON START UP AND INITIAL DRIVE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED VEHICLE TO CURB, SHUT OFF ENGINE, WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES TO ONE HOUR, RESTARTED ENGINE AND HAD FULL POWER.. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON FOR SEVERAL START UPS THEN RESETS ITSELF. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD BE DEVASTATING AND POTENTIALLY LEAD TO FATALITIES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH EXTREME FORCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND A WHIPLASH. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INJURED BY THE SEAT BELT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
ON OCCASION, "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT GOES ON WHILE AN ADULT (>120LBS.) IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.
CHECK ENGINE AND ESC LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. TRUCK IMMEDIATELY LOSES POWER.
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A KIA DEALERSHIP NOW OUT OF BUSINESS IN FEBRUARY 2009 AS A NEW VEHICLE. THE ODOMETER READING TODAY IS 31000 MILES. DESPITE REGULAR KIA MAINTAINANCE A FEW WEEKS AGO WE NOTICED SLUGGISH ACCELERATION AND A HUM AT INCREASED SPEED FROM THE REAR END. WE TOOK IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS ENTIRE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS LEFT REAR TIRE. THE SERVICE TECH SAID IT WAS UNSAFE WITHOUT THE REPAIRS AND THE ORIGINAL MICHELIN LEFT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS CLOSE TO FAILURE. I NOTICE THAT NHTSAID# 10625749 COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE IS NEARLY IDENTICAL. AUTHORIZED REPLACEMENT OF REAR AXLE AT A COST OF $2219 AND PICKED UP VEHICLE YESTERDAY AND BOUGHT NEW TIRE FROM TIRE STORE. WHILE CAR IN KIA SHOP I NOTICED 10 YEAR 100000 MILE WARRANTY COVERED REAR AXLE SO CALLED KIA MOTORS USA AND OPENED A CASE. CASE STILL UNDER REVIEW BUT WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN KIA CLAIMS 100 K WARRANTY NOT APPLICABLE BECAUSE THEIR RECORD SHOWS WE ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER DESPITE ALL OUR PURCHASE DOCUMENTS SAY IT IS NEW AND NOT A USED OR DEMONSTRATOR WE PURCHASED. REALIZE THAT IS WARRANTY DISPUTE WITH KIA BUT SHOWS HOW KIA WILL TRY ALL IN ITS POWER TO COVER UP DEFECTS THEY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AND NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY.
"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS HIT HEAD ON WHERE MY AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON BUT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STAY STEAL WHEN I WAS HIT.
THE ENGINE MAKES A HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE. HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPAIRS AS OF YET. KIA THINKS IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. KIA STATES THIS WILL COST 4000 OR MORE TO FIX
THIS COMPLAINT IS ON A KIA SORENTO 2008 DOOR LOCKS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2009, MY DRIVER'S DOOR WOULDN'T NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, I HAD THE DOOR HANDLE CHANGED WHICH COST ME $200.00. NOW MY PASSENGER BACK LEFT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE AND WITH TIME I'M SURE THE OTHER 2 LEFT WILL NEED REPAIR. HOW CAN KIA SAY, "THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEREFORE IT IS NOT A RECALL". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT TO SAFETY. I HAVE A 4 DOOR CAR AND AFRAID TO DRIVE ANYONE AS PASSENGERS DUE TO THEIR SAFETY. FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH THIS HAS BEEN AN OCCURRING PROBLEMS WITH KIA AND I'M GLAD THERE HAS BEEN NO DEATHS RESULTING FROM IT. BUT IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIX AND KIA DOESN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECTED PARTS THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE DEATH RESULTING FROM IT IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE HELP US OUT AND LET THIS BECOME A RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IN PARK, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LEFT ARM INJURIES AND LEFT LEG INJURIES DUE TO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
MY 2008 KIA SORENTO HAS HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THE REAR TAILLIGHT/SIGNALLIGHT FAILING TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR WHICH IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS SINCE WORKED ON THE VEHICLE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION A NUMBER OF TIMES. THEY HAVE SAID AND NOTED THAT IN A PRIOR VISIT THEY REPLACED THE STOPLIGHT SWITCH. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND I HAVE BEEN CITED A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH A WARNING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. ATTACHED IS ONE OF THE RECEIPTS FROM THE DEALERSHIP NOTING THE RECALL AND PROBLEM. NOW, THE DEALERSHIP IS INSISTING THAT WE SHOULD PAY FOR THE LATEST ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED WITHOUT A RECURRENCE OF THE ISSUE. THE REAR TAILLIGHT/SIGNAL LIGHT FAILS TO ILLUMINATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT'S WIFE, WHO WAS 5 FOOT 6 INCHES TALL AND WEIGHED 130 LBS, WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SEAT CUSHION AND RE-FLASHED THE SOFTWARE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,648.
AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DEALER TEST SHOWED PROBLEM IS WITH THE SENSOR LOCATED INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THEY SAY THE SOLUTION REQUIRES ME TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FOR $2500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ESC, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, AND MOTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN DASHBOARD AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND STAYED ON, ALSO LIGHT STATING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF GOES ON AN OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS BACK ON 8/9/12 FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT, SUPPOSEDLY IT WAS REPAIRED BUT STILL HAPPENING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AIR BAG LIGHT IN DASH WAS ADVISED B1448 OCS, PASSENGER BOTTOM SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST $2219.34. INFORMED DEALER CHOOSING NOT TO HAVE REPAIRED, FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL 11V473000, THEY STATED MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF RECALL
I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND HAVE OBSERVED SEVERAL AFFECTED PARTS THAT PRESENT SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES AND SUBSTANTIAL CONCERNS TO MY OVERALL WELFARE. MOST ALARMING IS THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER DURING OPERATION EITHER IN AND INABILITY TO ACCELERATE OR THE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE MERGING OR DRIVING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAYS AND INTESTATES. THE ESC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND REMAIN ON UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. THE DASH PANEL LIGHTS FLICKERS OFF/ON WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED. THE BACK DRIVERS BRAKE LIGHT GOES OUT SPORADICALLY. IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A NEED TO CUT THE HEAD LIGHTS OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, THERE IS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER OR ACCELERATION AND THE CAR WILL SLOW TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDST OF HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION COMES ON WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PROMPTING AND THE PANEL KEYS ARE NON RESPONSIVE TO OFF ON COMMANDS. THERE IS ALSO A HEAVY SHAKING THAT OCCURS ON THE FRONT END WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED OF 55 MPH OR GREATER.
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. JUST HAD MY RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED AGAIN, WAS WORKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING REPLACED, AND NOW THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I GET IN MY CAR NEITHER HEADLIGHT WORKS. I AM A SINGLE MOM ON A FIXED INCOME AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THESE BULBS AT $20 EACH TIME.
AFTER STOPPING AND LOOKING FOR ONCOMING CARS AND STARTING AGAIN, THE CAR JETTISONED CAUSING ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP FOR ABOUT A HALF BLOCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKE LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH GROUND WIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN
EVERY 6 MONTHS THE ENGINE LIGHT AND ECS OFF LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX IN JULY 2014. BY NOVEMBER, IT STARTED TO HAVE THE ISSUE, IT PROGRESSED AT I CHECKED IT ON THE INTERNET AND SAW A RECALL AND BROUGHT IT IN TO CITY KIA IN ORLANDO. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND AN ISSUE WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THERE WAS NO CLEAR CODE. HOWEVER, WHEN HE REPLACED THE RECALL LAMP SWITCH PART IT WENT AWAY UNTIL NOW (OCT 2015). IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE LOSS OF POWER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMMENTS FROM OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I EXPECT CARMAX AND KIA UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN ISSUE. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 32K MILES ON IT FROM CARMAX AND IT ALREADY HAD 2 PREVIOUS OWNERS. THE AVERAGE KIA MECHANIC SEEMS INCAPABLE OF DIAGNOSING AND RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. THEY WILL JUST CHANGE OUT PARTS EVERY 6 MONTHS AND HOPEFULLY RESET THE ELECTRONICS SOMEHOW. I AM A LICENSED MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND SAFETY ENGINEER WORKING IN THE RIDE INDUSTRY FOR 30 YEARS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD LIKE KIA TO EITHER FIX IT OR TAKE MY CAR BACK OR CARMAX TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. THE LOSS OF POWER CAN OCCUR WHEN YOU START OR WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND ECS LIGHT COME ON AND ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS ISSUE. TYPICAL POSTS ON INTERNET JUN 30, 2014 - CHEEKTOWAGA, NY - POWER TRAIN TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHI
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WITH THE TROUBLE CODES OF B1511, B1513, AND B1448 ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ALL THIS GOES WRONG AT THE SAME TIME.
WHEN DRIVING UP HILL AT 35 MPH IN AUTOMATIC DRIVE OUR VEHICLE LOSES POWER. WHEN PUSHING DOWN ON GAS PEDAL, IT DOES NOT RESPOND. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE IT AND EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM. WHEN USING MANUAL SHIFT THE CAR DOE NOT LOSE POWER AND RESPONDS WHEN GOING UP HILL. WE WERE TOLD IT GOES FROM FIRST GEAR TO FIFTH GEAR IN ABOUT 500 FEET WHEN IN AUTOMATIC DRIVE. LOCAL MECHANIC CALLED KIA DEALS IN SPOKANE AND I WENT TO EDMARK KIA IN NAMPA EACH DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ESC LIGHT IS ALSO ON.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE ESC AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. MA 10/15/2015 *CN
MY GRANDDAUGHTER OPENED THE REAR PSGR DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND IT BROKE OFF AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF I TOOK IT TO LUTHER KIA IN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS AND THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD COST $322.00 TO FIX THE BROKEN HANDLE. I TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IN HIS 12 YEARS WORKING WITH CARS THAT A DOOR HANDLE WOULD BREAK OFF LIKE THAT AND HE ALSO SAID THAT THE FRONT PSGR DOOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALSO. AND THEY WOULD CHARGE $368.00 FOR BOTH DOORS. I TALKED TO A LADY AT MY JOB SHE JUST BOUGHT A 2013 KIA SORRENTO AND SHE SAID THAT WHEN SHE PURCHASED IT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE MISSING AND THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THEM FOR FREE SINCE SHE JUST BROUGHT THE CAR. BUT THEY SOLD HER THE CAR WITH 2 HANDLES MISSING I FEEL THAT THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE THE DOOR HANDLES ON THESE CARS. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT DOOR HANDLES MISSING. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKE LIGHT TWICE AND MY SISTER WAS FOLLOWING ME AND SHE SAID THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD SOMETINE GO ON THEN NOT. I WAS ALSO STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER ABOUT THE SAME REAR BRAKE LIGHT AND I GOT IT FIXED THEN MONTH LATER IT DID THE SAME THING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE SEC AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
THE PASSENGER SIDE "AIR BAG TURNED OFF" SIGN COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET DOWN AND GET BACK IN TO TURN THE SIGN OFF. OCCASIONALLY, THIS SIGN LIGHTS UP WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT IS SCARY AT THAT TIME AND NOT POSSIBLE TO TAKE ANY MEASURES AT THE TIME. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND DIRECTLY TO KIA COMPANY. I WAS TOLD TO GIVE THEM PICTURES TAKEN OF THE LIGHTED SIGN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THERE WAS PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I PROVIDE SUCH PICTURES TOO. HOWEVER, THE DEALER AFTER KEEPING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK AT A TIME TOLD US THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND THAT WE SHOULD KEEP THE LEATHER SEATS TREATED WITH SMOOTHING TREATMENT. THIS IS SCARY SITUATION THAT KIA IS AWARE OF BUT NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS IT.
VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 30MPH SINCE THEN IT WILL START NOW BUT SHUTS OFF AFTER A BLOCK'S DRIVE. LIMPED IT HOME AND HAVE BEEN READING ON LINE THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. WE'VE HAD IT IN FOR RECALL (FRONT SEATBELT LIGHT) AND THE ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATION WAS DISMISSED AT THAT TIME.
WE HEARD GRINDING NOISES WHEN DRIVING OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING, JERKING, AND LUNGING. WE NOTICED NICKEL-SIZE CHIPPED PIECES OF METAL IN THE DRIVE THAT HAD FALLEN FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. WE TOWED THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING HAD DISINTEGRATED; THE ROTOR AND HUB TO RIDE INTO THE CALIPER AND SEIZE--THE WHEEL WAS WITHIN SECONDS OF FLYING OFF THE AXLE. THEY HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING PARTS BECAUSE THIS SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH KIA SORENTOS. I CONTACTED THE NEWLY OPENED KIA DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE RECENT CAR REPAIR AND THAT AFTER HEARING OF THE DIFFICULTY IN FINDING PARTS AND BEING TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM, I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE REPAIR IS COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY (MILEAGE ON THE KIA WAS 90,317). I WAS DIRECTED TO KIA OF AMERICA (1-800-333-4542) TO SUBMIT A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST FOR THE REPAIR. MY CLAIM WAS DENIED SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAD NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO A KIA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I ASKED FOR AN APPEAL AND WAS DIRECTED TO THE REGIONAL OFFICE. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE MISTAKENLY STATED THAT WE HAD SAID WE KNOWINGLY WERE AWARE THAT THE CAR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT WE TOOK THE CAR ELSEWHERE. I STATED THIS WAS INCORRECT--THAT WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THAT WE TOOK IT TO THE SAME PLACE WE ALWAYS GO. I ASSURED KIA OF AMERICA, IF WE HAD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. UPDATED. 06/09/15 *TA THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE LIGHT NOT GOING OFF. UPDATED 08/04/15*JB
WE WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY FREEWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED GETTING STIFF SO WE SLOWED DOWN AND MOVED OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT. THE CAR DIED BUT WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC THOUGH THE BACK OF THE CAR WAS STILL NOT OUT ALL THE WAY DUE TO THE ANGLE. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO STEER AND STRAIGHTEN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO JUMP THE CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE ENGINE WAS LOCKED. THE MECHANIC SAID A SCREW BROKE OFF. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT. I HAD TO GET A NEW ENGINE PUT IN AT THE COST OF JUST OVER $2400. *JS
WAS DRIVING AT A 35 MPH SPEED WHEN I TRIED TO BREAK AND INSTEAD THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE VEHICLE I FRONT OF ME. IT WAS AT THE SHOP FOR REPAIR FOR A WEEK THE BREAKS WHERE CHECKED. 2 HOURS AFTER THE CAR WAS OUT THE SHOP I WAS TURNING WHEN INSTEAD OF BREAKING IT ACCELERATES AGAIN CAUSING THE VEH TO LOOSE CONTROL AND HIT THE CURB. I ONLY HAD THE SUB FOR 3 MONTHS AND NEARLY CAUSE ACCIDENTS 3 TIMES... ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY THE BRAKES WON'T WORK I HAVE TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VERY HARD AND STILL TAKES A LONG TIME TO BRAKE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. *TR
DIM LIGHTS BOTH QUIT AT THE SAME TIME IN EARLY MORNING (DARK) DRIVING. *TR
FOR YEARS NOW I HAVE REPLACED LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST 15 TIMES AND BRAKE LIGHTS ABOUT 20 TIMES. ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS ALL LIGHTS BURNED OUT AT ONCE.. THE FUSES AND RELAYS HAVE NEVER BEEN BAD BECAUSE WHEN I REPLACE THE LIGHTS THEY WORK.SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE KNOWN MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2008 Kia Sorento → · Every Sorento year → · How the figures are calculated →